Change is in the air for the Atlanta Hawks.
After three seasons as the team’s general manager, Landry Fields has been dismissed, the Hawks announced Monday. In a surprising front office shake-up, Onsi Saleh has been promoted to GM, and the team has begun an active search for a President of Basketball Operations—a role aimed at bringing senior-level strategic leadership to the franchise.
The decision comes after a disappointing 40-42 season, capped off by an 0-2 showing in the SoFi Play-In Tournament, which left the Hawks out of the playoffs for the second straight year.
“Every offseason we evaluate how we operate and ways we can improve our organization,” said Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler. “As we enter this pivotal offseason, we have several complex decisions ahead of us.”
Fields’ tenure wasn’t without promise. He made headlines last year by selecting Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick—who has since become a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He also helped build a promising young core around Trae Young, Dyson Daniels (a finalist for both Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player), and Risacher.
But ultimately, the lack of playoff success sealed his fate. The Hawks haven’t won a postseason series since their Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021, and Ressler believes a fresh perspective is now essential.
To guide the transition, the team has enlisted Sportsology Group, a strategic advisory firm known for reshaping sports front offices. Their job? Lead the Hawks’ search for a top basketball executive who can complement Saleh’s data-driven approach and help chart a long-term vision.
Saleh brings a unique blend of basketball IQ and business strategy to the table. Before joining the Hawks in 2022, he served three years with the Golden State Warriors, ending his stint there as VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel. Prior to that, he worked with the San Antonio Spurs, holding roles focused on organizational development and process.
Now, he’ll be tasked with taking a talented but inconsistent roster and reshaping it into a contender.
The future of the Hawks hinges on this upcoming offseason. With a talented trio of Young, Daniels, and Risacher—and a soon-to-be-hired President of Basketball Ops—Atlanta is aiming to turn the page.
Whether this marks the beginning of a new era or another chapter of frustration depends on the decisions made in the weeks ahead.
